Photo Blog – Niebrugge Images

Horned Puffin and Red Baneberry.

A couple of Horned Puffin and Red Baneberry from this past August.

First year bear cub from June, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

These cute little first year bear cubs are like living teddy bears!

Portage Valley, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

A field of lupine in the Portage Valley at sunset – last July,  in the middle of the night!

Brown bear in a field of lupine, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

I thought I would share another bear image from this Summer just because I love bears!

Tunnel and bridge over the Colorado River are part of the South Kaibab Trail, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Here you see the bottom of the South Kaibab Trail into the Grand Canyon.  As you hike down, you get more and more glimpses of the Colorado River – on a hot day, that becomes a real magnet towards the final destination.  But, the final arrival is a real show stopper.  You literally enter into a tunnel blasted into the side of a rock face.  Once you reach the other side of the tunnel, you emerge straight onto a suspension bridge hanging directly over the Colorado River!  It’s awesome!

On the right side of this image you can see where the bridge lines up with the tunnel – this bridge takes you to the far side of the canyon to Phantom Ranch and the Angel Bright Campground.

Editing through our images from our May backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon National Park has me excited to return for more!

Mud flats along Cook Inlet, Alaska.

This is a bit different.  It is an aerial view looking straight down of the mud flats along Cook Inlet.  I captured this on the flight in for last June’s Alaska bear photo tour.  The patterns are a combination of the silty water left behind by the receding tides, and the drying of the mud.  The higher areas that are exposed to the wind first try much faster, and turn a lighter shade of brown as compared to the still wet muddy areas.

Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska.

It has been a busy few months and I have a number of photos from this past Summer’s travels to Denali, Lake Clark, the Grand Canyon and Zion that I haven’t had a chance to share.  I’m just going through those trips now – so I thought I would share of few over the next few weeks while I buckle down on a bunch of office work! 

This is Denali reflecting in Wonder Lake this past August on a beautiful evening.

A sow nursing two cubs, Lake Clark National Park, Alaska.

Here is another one from August.  Experiencing this behavior up close never gets old!  This was actually on the grounds of the lodge I use for my Alaska Bear Photo Tours!  We had returned to our cabins for a quick break when she showed up and began nursing!  One of my guests (who will remained unnamed) was actually just getting out of the shower when he heard the familiar “purring” sounds the cubs make while nursing, and instantly knew what he was missing.  It was some sight seeing him coming out of his cabin with camera gear in hand – wearing just his underwear!  Witnessing this event was well worth the teasing from the group. 

I like how sows will often use their forward legs to make somewhat of a cradle to help contain her cubs – just like you see here.

It might seem strange to hear how she actually came into the  lodge’s yard to nurse.  You see, the sows and their cubs are vulnerable to the larger male bears while nursing.  The males are not nearly as comfortable around people, or the lodge facilities, and often will keep their distance – except during the mating season.  The sows have picked up on this and use it to their advantage.  It isn’t uncommon for them to move closer to people when they are vulnerable like they are when nursing or sleeping.  It makes for a wonderful treat for photography!  Well, except when they are sleeping – they tend to sleep longer and harder when we are nearby since they feel safer.

If you are interested, we only have a couple spots left for next years bear tours.

Aurora Borealis over the Seward Boat Harbor last Wednesday.

Here is another one from last northern light show in Seward last Tuesday night, Wednesday morning.  Hard to follow the last image which received a wonderful response especially on Facebook - thanks for all the kind emails, comments and likes!

A lot of people have been asking.  This was captured with a Canon 5D Mark III and a 24mm f/1.4 lens used wide open at f/1.4, iso 3200 and half a second exposure.

Aurora Borealis over Resurrection Bay, Seward, Alaska.

This is another one from early Wednesday morning.

Northern Lights near Seward, Alaska.

Up most the night chasing a pretty good show of Northern Lights!  This was just a couple of hours ago.

Colorado River near Page, Arizona.

The Colorado River last week near Page, Arizona.

Funny, between a backpacking trip to the river in the Grand Canyon, and two separate trips to the Page area – I have photographed the Colorado River a lot this year.  It didn’t start out as part of a plan at the beginning of the year, just sorta worked out that way.

Desert sunflowers near Page, Arizona.

I usually don’t post on the weekends, nor do I post snap shots captured mid day, but I thought it was worth doing a quick post to get the word out on how great the wildflowers are in Northern Arizona right now.

Heavy rain in August has lead to what most people are telling me is an unprecedented Autumn wildflower bloom.  I do know this, the wildflowers were way better then they were this past May – better then I have seen in the desert for a number of Springs.  And there were fields with a variety a species including common spring flowers like verbena and primrose.  In some areas, the desert sunflowers were just thick.  In the wash where Antelope Canyon crosses under the highway is by far the best field of Sacred Datura I have ever seen!  And as local were pointing out – the wildflowers that normally get cooked by rising spring temperatures are continuing to look great thanks to the cooling fall temps – I thought they were getting better as the week went on.  So if you are in the area, check it out!

Upper Antelope Slot Canyon and night, Page, Arizona.

I have visited the Page Arizona area many times over the years, but until May, had never ventured into the Upper Antelope Slot Canyon.  The stories of the crowds of people kept me away.  On my May visit, I figured if I was going to be offering a photo tour in the area, I should at least visit the areas most popular attraction.  I must admit, the canyon itself was stunning.  But, the huge crowds and chaos ruined the experience for me.  At times guides were yelling at guests to stay out of the view – it was crazy, and not the kind of environment in which I like to spend my time.

After that experience, I really didn’t think it would work to bring a group to such a crazy canyon.  But, while in the canyon I got talking to a couple of the Navajo guides and learned that another Navajo was doing an occasional night tour into the canyon with very small groups.  This sounded like the perfect solution, and after a bit of leg work, was able to make the arrangements.

I must say, this was a far better experience!  Looking up at the stars through those beautiful red rock walls was magical, and hearing one of our Navajo guides quietly chanting to himself added more to the experience!  Definitely one of the many highlights of this trip!

Leah photographing in a slot canyon.

Back from a great trip to Arizona. The slot canyon photo tour went great – I really had a fun group of photographers that made a cool experience just that much more enjoyable! Funny, I thought escaping the long days of the Alaska Summer might make the hours a bit easier, but with such an enthusiastic group we kept an aggressive pace including a 19 hour day that started with a 5:30 a.m. meet for sunrise at Horseshoe Bend, included an extended stay in our own slot canyon, followed by a boat tour on Lake Powell, and finishing with a night shoot until mid-night in Antelope Slot Canyon – it was a blast!

Having an amazing slot canyon all to ourselves – and spending time in the Upper Antelope Canyon at night with a small group might have been the highlight.

I’ll have more photos to share over the next couple of days.  If you are interested, stay tuned – I intend to offer the same tour next year.

Horseshoe Bend on The Colorado River, Page, Arizona.

I have been doing some pre-tour scouting for my Slot Canyon Tour that begins tonight.  I must say, I knew this area had received a lot of rain, but I’m shocked out how many wildflowers there are in places.  Much better then it was in May – better then I have seen in a couple of years.  I have heard the same is true on other areas as well.

I checked out the Horseshoe Bend today as we plan on a sunset / sunrise here.  Back when I first visited this spot, you had to really know where you where going.  Today, it is signed, with a paved parking lot and a well marked trail.  There are also lots of people including tour bus!

West Canyon at sunrise, Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Page, Arizona.

Here is a photo of Lake Powell from this past May.  Heading back to Arizona and Lake Powell for a quick trip for my Arizona Slot Canyon Photo Tour.  This is going to be fun – 4 of my 5 guests have been on previous trips with me – so it is going to be a bit of a reunion of friends for me!

Only going to be gone a week which will seem strange.  Typically our trips are a month in length at the minimum.  But, I have a lot to get done in the office before a crazy fun travel schedule kicks in which will have me away from home for 3 out of 4 months this winter.

Northwestern Fjords, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska.

Took advantage of the beautiful weather on Friday and took a quick trip into Kenai Fjords National Park.  This is looking into Northwestern Fjords.  The weather has certainly turned to cold, wet and windy.  The snow isn’t sticking to the ground in Seward, but it sure is up higher.

Iceberg in College Fjord, Prince William Sound, Chugach National Forest, Alaska.

This was a large, cool looking beached iceberg from this Spring in Prince William Sound.  Lots of the cool colors and patterns are formed in the underwater portion of icebergs, so it is a photographer’s treat to find one beached!

Steller Sea Lion, Prince William Sound, Alaska.

When the fur on the large male sea lion dries out a bit, you can see that the longer fur on the back of the neck looks a bit like a lions mane – it is easy to see how they got the name Sea Lion.

This was from a stormy day in early May this year – their warm bodies in the cold area were actually giving of a bit of steam.

Talkeetna, Alaska.

Spent last weekend with my folks in the cool little Alaska town of Talkeetna.  This is the colorful Mountain High Pizza Pie restaurant – one of a number of cool, fun little restaurants in the area, and a perfect photography subject.

Smack of jellyfish, Prince William Sound, Alaska.

This is a bit different, and probably won’t be too popular, but I think it is pretty neat.  This is a smack of jellyfish from my trip last month into Prince William Sound.  I’m looking straight down from above – the shadow from the boat, along with a polarizer helped the jellies show even though I wasn’t underwater.

Petersen’s Photographic Magazine

I am very honored and excited to be featured in a multiple page article in this Fall’s issue of Petersen’s Photographic magazine!  Very cool!  I am very grateful to have such a wonderful supporter as  Jeff Wignall who must be the most widely published writer on the subject of photography – ever!  More than a million of his books on the subject have been published over the years!  Thanks so much Jeff!

One of a number of slot canyons we will photograph – this one exclusively!

I have one spot left for my Arizona Slot Canyon Photography Tour for later this month.  I am excited about this tour – we will have exclusive use of some of the slots we visit like Canyon x pictured above.  Plus, we will be making a night time visit to Upper Antelope Slot Canyon in which the canyon will be illuminated with LED lights just enough so that the stars will show above!  Throw in other local highlights like Horseshoe Bend and Lake Powell and you can see we have an action packed couple of days.  You can read more here or call if you have any questions:  Arizona Slot Canyon Photo Tour.